As soon as they crossed the second door they were drowned in sound. Scott tried to say something, but no one could hear him.
^here, let me,^ Jean offered has she connected the four of them telepathically.
Scott kisses her, ^thank you, what should we do first?^
^We get a table,^ Thomas answered, ^It's really a shame you aren't field trained Jean,^ he said once they were seated, ^this would really be useful during certain operations.^
^what does everyone want?^ Henry asked as he left the table for the bar.
^A beer,^ Scott said, ^what ever they have on tap.^
^Wine, if they have some,^ was Jean's order.
^ Red or white?^ Henry asked
^White. If they don't have any a gin and tonic will be fine.^
^And you'll have a scotch?" he asked Thomas.
^yes,^ he answered, ^neat please.^
^To comment on what you said Thomas,^ Jean said, ^I'm perfectly happy working in the lab. My ability and training is much more appropriate to treating patient than doing what ever you do in the field. And I wouldn't want to put Scott through the stress of wondering if I'll come home or not."
Scott pulled her close to him, ^that's so sweet of you.^
She kissed him, ^Henry, how do you deal with Thomas putting himself in danger?^
^Mostly by knowing that he's well trained, smart and that if anyone dares hurt one hair on his precious head they will be answering to me.^ Henry replied carefully making his way through the crowd.
Thomas smiled with pride while Scott chuckled. Some time after that Henry returned with the drinks, placing a tall glass with a russet brown drink in front of Scott.
^What's that?^ he asked. He could tell it wasn't his beer.
^Long Island Iced Tea.^ Henry replied, handing Jean her wine and Thomas his Scotch. He then sat down and took a sip of his Rum and coke.
^That's not what I asked for.^
^I know, but you're dating now. You have to start living dangerously.^
Scott rolled his eyes and shook his head in slight exasperation but he didn't say anything, this was just Henry 'looking out' for him.
Henry and Thomas didn't take long to finish their drinks and raced to the dance floor. Scott watched for a moment and then looked around.
^The place is enormous,^ he commented in awe.
Jean smiled, ^yes, it takes the entire warehouse,^ she replied, keeping the conversation limited to the two of them, ^except for where the restaurant is, but there's a balcony above it. Actually, there's multiple levels all over the place, some are enclosed and sound proofed for those who need to relax, a few have different music, but most as open balconies so more people can dance.^
^And you know that how?^ Scott asked playfully.
She gave him a sheepish smile, ^I've been eavesdropping?^
Scott smiled back, ^ thought you weren't suppose to do that?^
Instead of answering she pulled him from the table. ^Come on, lets go dance and give the two lovers some competition.^
Scott let himself be dragged along. ^wait a minute, I don't know how to dance.^ Only, as he said that he realized that he did know how. He looked at Jean
^Now *that* I'm not suppose to do,^ she said as they reached Henry and Thomas. She let go of him and started dancing to the music.
It took Scott a few minutes to relax enough and let the music take over his body. Once that happened he joined Jean and they indeed give Henry and his boyfriend a good competition.
Time lost meaning as they lost themselves in the music, one of them might stop just long enough to get a drink and catch his or her breath and then it was back on the dance floor. While they danced they didn't have a care in the world. Thomas and Henry danced close, touching and kissing each other, knowing that such open displays were safe here. Maxine's was not a gay club, but she had made sure tolerance was foremost, because of that it attracted a lot of men and women looking for an evening of cruising without worries. She even had lounges for those looking for to meet members of the same sex.
Jean was moving to the music when the wave hit her, making her step falter and knock in the person next to her. Scott opened his eyes and caught her. Before he could say anything she motioned for him to be silent. What had hit her hadn't been physical; it had been a wave of pure hate. She focused, trying to find it. It was above her, It wasn't as intense, but it was still there, somewhere across the warehouse. She turned just in time to see it.
^Thomas!^ She screamed, sending the direction he had to look in. Scott and Henry also turned since she had included them in the broadcast. And they saw a man being punched with enough strength to send him over the rail.
^Mac!^ Scott said. He didn't have to add anything. Henry was running, forcing the dancers out of his way. ^Tom?^ he added looking in his direction.
^There's too much light for my shadows,^ Thomas answered, ^Jean make sure the attacker doesn't leave.^
Jean nodded and found the mind with all the hate and clamped down on it. At the same time she watched Henry jump and bounced from one column to another gaining height until he was above the first level. He threw himself at the falling man and caught him, then catching himself on the edge of the balcony before dropping to the ground.
The music stopped at the display and the dancing followed. Scott, Thomas and Jean forced their way through the crowd, as did the bouncers. They arrived to see the man lying on the floor and Henry checking the state he was in.
"What's going on here?" asked the closest bouncer.
Henry didn't pay any attention to him, too busy making sure the man didn't have anything too serious.
"That man was attacked," Jean said, "Henry caught him before he hit the ground."
"You happen to see the attack?" the man said, his tone making it clear he didn't quite believe her. He was obviously the lead bouncers, the others stayed further back, forming a circle to prevent anyone from getting to close.
"yes, I did," Jean answered.
"So did we," Scott added.
"Yeah? What did you see?"
"This man was backing up from his attacker," Thomas said, "who punched him in the face just as he got to the railing, sending him over."
"The attacker's muscular, light brown hair with a slightly darker moustache," Scott added.
"He wears white t-shirt with an anarchy symbol on it," Jean continues. "He's coming this way," The bouncer tensed, "Don't worry, he's harmless right now, I have him under control."
The bouncer looked at her frowning before turning to Henry. "How is he?"
"His jaw is broken, but I he doesn't have any obvious cranial trauma. I don't expect he suffered a concussion, he's probably unconscious due to the shock and stress."
"Are you a doctor?"
Henry smiled at the man. "I don't have a PhD, but I have read all the medical literature that's available."
The man was about to say something when a Maxine was heard "What's going on here?" She asked as she entered the circle, "Henry? Thomas, what happened?"
"The man was attacked." Thomas told her.
"He's ok over all, just a broken jaw." Henry added as he stood.
She looked at the bouncer. "Did you call an ambulance?" she asked curtly.
"I'm on it," he answered, taking out his cell phone and moving a few steps away.
"Who did this?"
"This man," Jean said, indicating the man that was walking toward them, "I have him under control."
"Can I question him?" Maxine asked, stepping closer to the man.
"I'm going to have to release him for that."
Maxine nodded and got a couple of the bouncers to stand near, ready to hold the man should he get rowdy.
The man blinked once and looked around, "what? How the hell I get here?"
"Did you cause that, young man?" Maxine asked him, pointing to the unconscious man on the floor.
The man looked and mouth turned into a snarl. "Fuck yeah. The asshole hit on me."
"He . . . hit on you?" She looked him over, "obviously he has rather poor taste in men."
"Why you little bitch," the man replied and tried to lounge at her, but the bouncers held him.
Maxine wasn't particularly impressed. "And you didn't pay attention to the fact that this club is about tolerance. Take his picture and get him out of here. Tell Andrew that I never want to see this *man*," her tone seethed with loathing as she said that word, "in my club ever again."
The man fought against the bouncers as they dragged him away.
"The ambulance is on its way," the lead bouncer said, "is it safe to move him?" he asked Henry, who nodded.
"Good," Maxine said, "Steven, please take him to my office, the couch there is large enough."
The bouncer did as instructed
"Is there anything we can help with?" Thomas asked her.
She smiled at him, "Of course dear, you can make sure you enjoy the rest of your evening." She stopped him before he could say anything else, "you stopped something from turning very bad, you've done enough, now have some fun, your drinks are on the house for the rest of the night." Thomas just smiled, knowing better than to argue with her. She took one of the bouncer's walky-talky "Angelo, dear, start the music again." And she turned to the crowd. "Please everyone, go back to having fun, the situation is under control now!"
* * * * *
It was almost four in the morning when they finally left the club. Maxine had insisted they stay after closing and talked. Once outside Thomas pinned Henry against the wall and kissed him passionately.
"I should have known you two were fags."
Thomas cursed under his breath and looked in the direction of the man in the anarchy t-shirt, and his five friends. Before he could move or say anything Scott walked in front of him.
"You two go back to what you were doing, we'll handle this."
Thomas was about to object, but Henry turned his face so he could kiss him again, and held him tightly to prevent him from leaving. He knew Thomas preferred to handle his own problems, but for once he was going to have to let someone else deal with it.
"And the two fag lovers. I've waited all night for you four to get out of there. If it wasn't for you that fag would have been mush. So now I'm going to get myself two more fags to pulp."
"Careful," Scott said, "that's my best friend and his boyfriend you're insulting."
"Oh?" the man replied, "you like it when they fuck you then?"
Scott didn't bother replying, instead he just gave the man a smile, and it wasn't friendly.
"Thomas?" Jean asked without turning, "Can I?"
Thomas broke the kiss only long enough to answer, "yes, but don't do permanent damage."
"Oh, the faghaf needs to ask permission from the fag before doing anything." The man said in a mocking tone. Some of the others were chuckling at that.
Jean looked the group over, "no, but I need to get authorization from my superior officer before I do what I have in mind."
The word 'officer' traveled through the group and cooled some of their fires.
"Who do you want?" Scott asked her, not bothering with telepathy.
"Oh, I'm having mister anarchy. When I'm done with him you want me to help you with the others?"
"If anyone is still standing, they are all yours." Scott said with a smile before kissing her.